Tuesday, March 03, 2015, 2:30 p.m.

Scores of Venezuelans march against government

CARACAS, Venezuela  Scores of opponents of President Nicolas Maduro are marching in Caracas, vowing to remain on the streets in defiance of a high court ruling limiting protests.

Student organizers at the last minute decided against marching downtown to avoid a confrontation with security forces in the government-controlled district. Instead they concentrated in the wealthier, eastern neighborhoods that have been the hotbed of unrest since February.

Demonstrators carried signs on Saturday blasting a Supreme Court ruling this week that gives police the right to disperse protests that don't have a permit.

Opponents say the ruling is the latest attempt by the socialist government to muzzle dissent amid widespread discontent with runaway inflation and record shortages.

The government says that more than 40 people have been killed across Venezuela in protest-related incidents.